JP2013018581A - Medium supporting tray and recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress noise offensive to ears that is transmitted by a recording sheet during discharge, and to prevent the recording sheet that is supported on a catch tray from falling caused by an external factor.SOLUTION: A sheet supporting tray 35A includes: a base 36A defining a box shape; and two drawing parts 36B, 36C each defining a box shape and slidable relative to the base 36A. Upon drawing the drawing parts 36B, 36C toward the front side of the apparatus thereof, a sheet supporting part for supporting the discharged recording sheets is deployed and a cover structure C for covering a lateral side and an upper side of the sheet supporting part is deployed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium support tray configured to be a drawer type and configured to support a medium. The present invention also relates to a recording apparatus represented by a facsimile, a printer, etc., provided with the medium support tray.

  A printer as an example of a recording apparatus is sometimes referred to as a medium support tray (a discharge receiving tray or a discharge stacker) that supports a medium (for example, a recording sheet) that is discharged after recording is performed. A paper discharge tray ”is provided, and the recording sheets on which recording is performed are sequentially stacked on the paper discharge tray.

  In many cases, the discharge tray is configured so that it can be pulled out in multiple stages so that it occupies a small space when not in use and can expand a wide support portion according to the size of the recording paper when in use. For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-001705 A

  By the way, in a printer, vibration is generated from a drive mechanism driven by a motor, but this vibration is transmitted to the discharged recording paper, and there is a case where unpleasant noise is generated through the recording paper. As another problem, the recording paper supported on the paper discharge tray may fall from the tray due to external factors such as wind.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to suppress annoying noise mediated by the recording paper to be ejected and to drop the recording paper supported on the paper ejection tray due to an external factor. It is to prevent that.

  In order to solve the above problems, the medium support tray according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a base part that forms a box-like body, and at least a box-like body that is slidably provided with respect to the base part. One or more drawer portions, and by pulling out the drawer portion, the medium support portion for supporting the medium and the cover structure covering both sides and the upper side of the medium support portion are provided. To do.

  According to this aspect, the medium support tray includes a base portion that forms a box-like body, and at least one drawer portion that forms a box-like body and is slidably provided with respect to the base portion. By pulling out the drawer part, the medium support part that supports the medium and the cover structure that covers both sides and the upper side of the medium support part are provided, so that the medium supported by the medium support part is formed by the cover structure. It becomes a state that is covered, and a sound insulation effect is expressed.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress annoying noise caused by the discharged medium, and it is possible to prevent the medium supported on the tray from falling due to an external factor such as wind, and dust adheres to the medium. Can also be prevented. In addition, since it is difficult to understand at a glance what kind of recording is performed on the discharged medium, this also contributes to improvement of confidentiality.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, when the drawer portion is housed inside the base portion and a plurality of the drawer portions are provided, the drawer portion on the free end side is the base end. A structure accommodated inside the drawer portion on the side, between the base portion and the drawer portion, or in addition, between the drawer portion on the free end side and the drawer portion on the proximal end side In the unfolded state of the medium support portion, it projects from above the medium support portion so as to fill the step of the step portion formed on the medium support portion, and in the retracted state, the drawer on the free end side A leaf spring that is pushed into the medium support portion side by the portion is provided.

  In a structure in which a plurality of box-shaped bodies are pulled out, there is a case where a step is formed such that the front end of the medium is caught when the front end of the medium advances from the base end side toward the free end side. According to this aspect, the plate spring is provided at the step portion, and when used (deployed), the plate tip is guided by the plate spring so as to get over the step, so that the medium tip is caught by the step portion. Can be prevented, and the medium can be smoothly discharged. Moreover, since the leaf spring can be deformed, it does not get in the way during storage.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, a plurality of the drawing portions are provided, and a plurality of the drawing portions are provided by different spring forces of the leaf springs provided in each of the plurality of stepped portions. Regularity is given in the order of drawing.

  According to this aspect, because the spring force of the leaf springs is different, the regularity is given in the drawing order of the plurality of the drawing parts. The structure is simple and can be obtained at low cost.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the wall surface on the free end side is inclined inside the drawer portion located closest to the free end side. And

  According to this aspect, since the wall surface on the free end side is inclined inside the drawer portion located closest to the free end side, when the medium is taken out, the front end of the medium becomes the wall surface on the free end side. It can be removed smoothly without being caught. Further, even when the length of the medium to be discharged is longer than the length of the medium support portion, there is an effect that the medium is discharged to the outside of the tray without jamming in the medium support tray.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the opening for taking out the medium formed in the drawer portion located closest to the free end is openable / detachable. It is characterized by being covered with a cover.

  According to this aspect, the opening for taking out the medium formed in the drawer portion located on the most free end side is covered with the cover that can be opened and closed, so that the harshness that is caused by the discharged medium is used as a medium. Noise can be further suppressed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, when the base portion is accommodated inside the drawer portion and a plurality of the drawer portions are provided, the drawer portion on the base end side is a free end. It comprises the structure accommodated inside the said drawer part of the side.

  According to this aspect, the base portion is accommodated inside the drawer portion, and when a plurality of the drawer portions are provided, the drawer portion on the base end side is accommodated inside the drawer portion on the free end side. With this configuration, the medium can be smoothly discharged without forming a step such that the medium leading edge is caught when the medium leading edge advances from the base end side toward the free end side.

  The seventh aspect of the present invention supports recording means for recording on a medium, discharging means for discharging the medium recorded by the recording means to the outside of the apparatus, and the medium discharged from the discharging means. And a medium support tray according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. According to this aspect, in the recording apparatus, it is possible to obtain the same effects as any of the first to sixth aspects.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a paper conveyance path of the printer according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the paper support tray according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a developed state. (A) is a sectional side view in the accommodation state of the paper support tray which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, (B) is a sectional side view in the expansion | deployment state of the paper support tray. (A), (B) is a partial expanded sectional side view of the paper support tray which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a paper support tray according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a paper support tray according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The sectional side view of the paper support tray which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described below, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. Assuming that these are also included in the scope of the present invention, one embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view of an ink jet printer 1 which is an embodiment of a recording apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a developed state of a paper support tray 35A which is a first embodiment of a medium support tray according to the present invention. 3A is a side cross-sectional view of the paper support tray 35A in the stowed state, FIG. 3B is a side cross-sectional view of the paper support tray 35A in the unfolded state, and FIGS. 4A and 4B are paper sheets. It is a partial expanded side sectional view of support tray 35A. 5 to 7 are side sectional views of the sheet support trays according to the second to fourth embodiments, respectively. In FIG. 1, in order to avoid complication of the drawing, hatching to the cross section is basically omitted (only the paper support tray 35A is provided).

  In the following, first, the overall configuration of the inkjet printer 1 will be outlined. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a recording unit that performs ink jet recording on a recording sheet as an example of a medium, reference numeral 3 denotes a scanner unit provided above the recording unit 2, and reference numeral 4 denotes an automatic document provided above the scanner unit 3. The conveyance units are respectively shown, that is, the ink jet printer 1 is configured as a multifunction machine having a scanner function in addition to the ink jet recording function.

  The recording unit 2 includes two sheet feeding paths, one is a sheet feeding path from the second sheet feeding unit 13 provided in the lower part of the apparatus, and the other is provided on the back side of the apparatus. This is a sheet feeding path from the first sheet feeding unit 12 that is provided. The broken line P1 indicates the passage trajectory of the recording paper sent out from the second paper feeding unit 13, and the broken line P2 shows the passage trajectory of the paper sent out from the first paper feeding unit 12.

  In the second paper feeding unit 13, reference numeral 5 denotes a paper cassette for containing paper, and a roller support member 17 pivotable about a rotation shaft 17 a is provided at a position facing the paper cassette 5. A feeding roller 18 constituting a sheet feeding means is provided.

  The feeding roller 18 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the paper cassette 5 by the swinging operation of the roller support member 17, and rotates in contact with the uppermost one of the recording paper P accommodated in the paper cassette 5. The uppermost recording paper P is sent downstream.

  The recording paper P delivered by the feeding roller 18 is curved and reversed by a large-diameter reversing roller 20 and then reaches a transport driving roller 24 and a transport driven roller 25 as transport means. Reference numeral 21 denotes a separation roller that separates a sheet by nipping the sheet with the reversing roller 20.

  On the other hand, in the first paper feeding unit 12 provided on the upper rear side of the recording unit 2, the support member 14 supports the recording paper in an inclined posture and swings around a swing shaft (not shown) at the top. Then, the uppermost one of the supported sheets is brought into pressure contact with the feeding roller 15. The feeding roller 15 rotates to feed the paper in pressure contact to the downstream side. Reference numeral 16 denotes a separation roller that separates a sheet by nipping the sheet with the feeding roller 15.

  The transport driving roller 24 and the transport driven roller 25 are a pair of rollers that precisely feed the recording paper P to the downstream side. The ink jet recording head 28 and the paper are guided downstream of the roller pair. The support member 26 is disposed opposite to the support member 26.

  The recording head 28 is provided at the bottom of the carriage 27 that can reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction (front and back direction in FIG. 1; hereinafter referred to as “main scanning direction” as appropriate). Recording is performed by ejecting ink onto the recording paper P while moving to.

  On the downstream side of the recording head 28, reference numeral 30 is a driven roller that prevents the recording paper P from floating, reference numeral 31 is a discharge driving roller that discharges the recording paper P by rotating, and reference numeral 32 is a discharge driving roller 31. Is a discharge driven roller that nips the recording paper P therebetween. The recording sheet P on which recording has been performed by these roller pairs is discharged toward the sheet support tray 35A.

  Note that the inkjet printer 1 does not discharge the recording paper P recorded on the front surface (first surface) toward the paper support tray 35A, but back-feeds and reverses the curve by the reversing roller 20. Thus, recording on the back surface (second surface) is possible.

  The above is the general configuration of the inkjet printer 1, and the paper support tray 35A will be described below. The paper support tray 35 </ b> A is provided immediately downstream of the paper discharge means configured by the discharge drive roller 31 and the discharge driven roller 32, and supports the recording paper P that is recorded and discharged.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sheet support tray 35A includes a base portion 36A that forms a box-like body, and two drawer portions 37A that form a box-like body and are slidable with respect to the base portion 36A. 38A. Then, by pulling out these drawer portions 37A and 38A toward the front side of the apparatus (left side in FIGS. 1 and 3), paper support portions (paper support surfaces) S1 to S3 for supporting the discharged recording paper are developed. Further, a cover structure (indicated by reference numeral C in FIG. 2) that covers the sides and upper sides of the sheet support portions S1 to S3 is developed.

  More specifically, a first portion constituting an intermediate portion of the paper support tray 35A in the unfolded state is provided inside the base portion 36A constituting the most proximal side (right side in FIG. 3B) of the paper support tray 35A in the unfolded state. The drawer portion 37A can be stored. Further, inside the first drawer portion 37A, the second drawer portion 38A constituting the most free side (left side in FIG. 3B) of the sheet support tray 35A in the unfolded state can be stored (FIG. 3 ( A)).

  A leaf spring 39A is provided on the free end side of the sheet support portion S1 of the base portion 36A. As shown in FIG. 4B, the leaf spring 39A protrudes upward from the sheet support portion S1 as shown in FIG. 4B, and as shown in FIG. 4A in the storage state (or between the storage state and the expansion state). The first drawer portion 37A on the free end side is pushed into the paper support portion S1 side.

  Similarly, a leaf spring 39B is provided on the free end side of the sheet support portion S2 of the first drawer portion 37A. The leaf spring 39B protrudes upward from the sheet support portion S2 in the unfolded state, and the free end in the retracted state. The second drawing portion 38A on the side is pushed into the paper support portion S2. The leaf springs 39A and 39B allow each drawer portion to maintain the drawer state. A plurality of leaf springs 39A and 39B are provided at appropriate intervals in the paper width direction (the front and back directions in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4), although not shown.

  In addition, the base portion 36A is provided with a stopper (not shown) that defines the pull-out limit of the first pull-out portion 37A (prevents falling off). Similarly, the first drawer portion 37A is provided with a stopper (not shown) that defines the drawer limit of the second drawer portion 38A (prevents dropping). Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the stored state, the tip of the second drawer 38A slightly protrudes as shown in FIG. 3A, and the user grips the tip of the second drawer 38A. It can be pulled out toward you.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the free end side component is housed inside the proximal end side component, so that the paper support between the base portion 36A and the first drawer portion 37A is in the unfolded state. A step portion (indicated by reference numeral E in FIG. 4B) where the leading edge of the sheet is caught is formed between the sheet support portion, that is, the sheet support portion S1 and the sheet support portion S2. Similarly, a stepped portion is formed between the first drawer portion 37A and the second drawer portion 38A, that is, between the paper support portion S2 and the paper support portion S3.

  However, the plate springs 39A and 39B are provided on the lower position side of the stepped portion as described above, and the plate springs 39A and 39B fill the stepped portion. Therefore, when the paper is discharged, the leading edge of the discharged paper passes over the stepped portion over the plate springs 39A and 39B, and thus the paper can be discharged smoothly without causing the leading edge of the paper to be caught. It has become.

  As described above, the sheet support tray 35A includes a base portion 36A that forms a box-like body, and a first drawer portion 37A and a second drawer portion that form a box-like body and are slidable with respect to the base portion 36A. 38A are provided, and by pulling out the first drawer portion 37A and the second drawer portion 38A to the front side of the apparatus, the paper support portions S1 to S3 for supporting the recording paper to be discharged are developed. A cover structure C that covers the side and upper sides of the sheet supporting portions S1 to S3 is developed.

  Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the harsh noise caused by the discharged paper, and to prevent the paper supported on the tray from falling due to external factors such as wind. It is possible to prevent dust from adhering. In addition, it is difficult to understand at a glance what kind of recording is performed on the discharged paper, which contributes to improvement of confidentiality.

  Note that an opening D is formed on the free end side of the most free second drawing portion 38A (FIGS. 2 and 3B), and the discharged paper can be taken out from the opening D. It can be done.

  Further, in the paper support tray 35A, regularity can be imparted in the order of drawing out the first drawing portion 37A and the second drawing portion 38A by making the spring forces of the leaf springs 39A and 39B different. For example, if the spring force of the leaf spring 39A is set to be smaller than the spring force of the leaf spring 39B, the first drawer portion 37A can be surely secured first when the second drawer portion 38A on the most free end side is picked and pulled out. Pulled out. As a result, it is possible to prevent only the second lead portion 38A having the weakest dimension in size from being pulled out. When the discharged paper size is short, the first drawer portion 37A may be pulled out and the second drawer portion 38A may be stored.

  The spring force is adjusted by adjusting the spring force of the leaf springs 39A and 39B itself (for example, changing the plate thickness and material), and by using a plurality of leaf springs 39A and 39B provided in the paper width direction. It can also be adjusted by changing the number of arrangements.

  Next, a second embodiment of the paper support tray will be described with reference to FIG. Unlike the first embodiment, the sheet support tray 35B according to the present embodiment includes a cover 40 that closes the opening D at the tip. Reference numeral 38B denotes a second lead portion provided with the cover 40, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the first embodiment already described for the other components.

  The cover 40 is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 40a. Since the opening D is closed when the paper is not taken out by the cover 40, noise generated when the paper is discharged is prevented. It can be reduced more reliably. The cover 40 is provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 40a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the cover 40 may be provided so as to be detachable. Further, if the cover 40, or in addition to this, the entire upper surface or at least a part of the upper surface of the paper support tray 35B is formed of a transparent member, the inside can be easily visually recognized and user-friendly.

  Next, FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the paper support tray. The paper support tray 35C according to the third embodiment has an inclined wall surface on the free end side inside the second drawer portion 38C. (Inclined surface indicated by symbol S). By providing such an inclined surface S, when the paper in the paper support tray 35C is taken out, the front end of the paper is not caught on the wall surface on the free end inside the tray and can be taken out easily. Further, even when the length of the paper discharged relative to the length of the paper support portion is long, there is an effect that the paper is not jammed in the paper support tray 35C and discharged outside the tray.

  Next, FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the paper support tray. The paper support tray 35D according to the fourth embodiment has a base portion 36D accommodated inside the first drawer portion 37D and a base end side. The first drawer portion 37D is housed inside the second drawer portion 38D on the free end side.

  As a result, when the leading end of the sheet advances from the base end side toward the free end side, the step where the leading end of the sheet is caught as shown in the first to third embodiments is not formed, and the sheet is discharged smoothly. can do.

  The embodiment described above is an example, and various embodiments can be adopted. For example, in order to improve the take-out property of the paper, it is also preferable that the paper support portions S1 to S3 are inclined surfaces that descend toward the free end side. Thereby, especially when the paper size is small, it can be easily taken out.

  Alternatively, it is preferable that the entire paper support tray is configured to be swingable and that a driving unit that switches the posture of the paper support tray is provided. Thus, for example, the sheet support portions S1 to S3 are leveled during the non-recording execution and the recording job execution, and the inclined surfaces are such that the sheet support portions S1 to S3 are lowered toward the free end side after the end of the recording job. Thus, it is possible to easily take out the paper after the recording is completed while preventing the paper discharged during the recording from falling from the opening at the front end of the paper support tray.

  Further, in order to further improve the take-out property of the discharged paper, all of the upper top plate or at least one upper top plate of the base portion, the first drawer portion, and the second drawer portion can be removed. It is also suitable to do.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the paper support tray is configured by the base portion and the two drawer portions. However, the number of the drawer portions may be one, or three or more. Moreover, although each embodiment mentioned above demonstrated the example which applied the medium support tray which concerns on this invention to the recording device, it cannot be overemphasized that it is applicable not only to this but another apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet printer, 2 recording part, 3 scanner part, 4 automatic document conveyance part, 5 paper cassette, 6 friction pad, 7 separation part, 8 rocking member, 8a rocking shaft, 12 1st paper feeding part, 13th 2-sheet feeding unit, 14 support member, 15 feeding roller, 16 separation roller, 17 roller support member, 17a rotating shaft, 18 feeding roller, 20 reversing roller, 21 separation roller, 24 transport driving roller, 25 transport driven roller , 26 support member, 27 carriage, 28 inkjet recording head, 30 driven roller, 31 discharge drive roller, 32 discharge driven roller, 35A to 35D paper support tray, 36A, 36D base portion, 37A, 37D first drawer portion, 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D Second drawer, P, P1, P2 Recording sheet

Claims (7)

A base part forming a box-like body;
Including at least one drawer portion provided in a slidable manner with respect to the base portion to form a box-shaped body,
By pulling out the drawer part, a medium support part that supports the medium and a cover structure that covers both sides and the upper side of the medium support part are provided.
A medium support tray characterized by the above. 2. The medium support tray according to claim 1, wherein when the drawer portion is accommodated inside the base portion and a plurality of the drawer portions are provided, the drawer portion on the free end side is the drawer on the proximal end side. Comprising a configuration accommodated inside the part,
Between the base portion and the drawer portion, or in addition, between the drawer portion on the free end side and the drawer portion on the base end side, on the lower position side of the step portion formed in the medium support portion In the expanded state of the medium support portion, a leaf spring is provided that protrudes from above the medium support portion so as to fill the step of the stepped portion, and is pushed into the medium support portion side by the drawer portion on the free end side in the stored state. ing,
A medium support tray characterized by the above. The medium support tray according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the drawer portions are provided.
The spring force of the leaf springs provided in each of the plurality of stepped portions is different, thereby providing regularity in the order of drawing out the plurality of the drawing portions.
A medium support tray characterized by the above. The medium support tray according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a wall surface on the free end side is inclined inside the drawer portion located closest to the free end side.
A medium support tray characterized by the above. 5. The medium support tray according to claim 1, wherein an opening for taking out the medium formed in the drawer portion located closest to the free end is covered with an openable / detachable cover. Called
A medium support tray characterized by the above. 2. The medium support tray according to claim 1, wherein when the base portion is accommodated inside the drawer portion and a plurality of the drawer portions are provided, the drawer portion on the base end side is the drawer on the free end side. Comprising a configuration accommodated inside the part,
A medium support tray characterized by the above. Recording means for recording on a medium;
Discharging means for discharging the medium recorded by the recording means to the outside of the apparatus;
The medium support tray according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the medium support tray supports a medium discharged from the discharge means.
Recording device.

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